Rhinebeck Democrats, GOP cross-endorse village candidates

RHINEBECK, N.Y. -- Democrats and Republicans on Saturday cross-endorsed a slate of candidates seeking village government seats in the March 19 election.

On the ballot, all without major-party opposition, will be:

o Republican Mayor James Reardon, running for another two-year term.

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o Village Board members Howie Traudt, an independent, and Heinz Sauer, a Democrat, seeking new two-year terms; and newcomer Heath Tortarella, an independent, seeking the final year of an unfinished two-year term as a board member.

o Village Justice Will Sanchez, a Republican, seeking a new four-year term.

Reardon, of 68 Chestnut St., is seeking his third term as mayor after previously serving two years as a village trustee.

"One of the big things we're facing is the rezoning of the (Dutchess County) Fairgrounds and the events code," he said on Saturday. "Those two committees have basically completed their work and are formalizing some paperwork and documents that we can bring to the public to begin a public workshop and a public hearing. I'm hopeful that's going to happen in the next month or two because they both kind of dovetail together."

Reardon said other village projects include continuing improvements for pedestrians in the business district and correcting drainage problems.

"We have a lot more work as far as our sidewalks," the mayor said. "The Pedestrian Task Force has presented to us an outline of the way we should go, and we've started on it by improving several sidewalks in the downtown area."

Reardon also expects construction of the new police station on Center Street to be completed soon.

"That's nearing completion, and we're hoping to be in their in April," he said. "That was two years studying, and we're coming to fruition on it, and is an example of how this board is very, very determined to get things done."